I do remember my training very well, Lieutenant Commander, [ he replies, with a smile but a sure tone nonetheless. It's perhaps a kneejerk reaction too, old feelings of frustration at people not thinking he was good enough to be Captain, but none of it is her fault, really. ] It's a comfort, and it provides me with a sense of safety. And it's like you say, we don't what we might find. I worry it won't be long before we might need to defend ourselves that way.

[ Of course he will always search for another solution, a peaceful path, words solving problems rather than weapons or fists. But they both know they don't always get the luxury of civility and diplomacy in strange new worlds. ]